In the western industrialized world, technological innovation is a major element in industrial development and creation of new places of work.
In Israel, the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Trade and Industry is responsible for support of industrial research and development.
The Chief Scientist in the Ministry of Trade and Industry offers several programs in which the government participates in the risk involved in industrial R&D activities via grants that are refunded through royalties from the sale of these development products.
In addition to the main channels of assistance of the Chief Scientst, which are mostly used to encourage R&D in existing companies or in start-ups with equity capital, the Chief Scientist is aided by the Israeli Industry Center for Research and Development (MATIMOP - Mercaz Ta'asia Yisraelit Le'mechkar u'Pituach)
Services Offered by MATIMOP
MATIMOP is a public non-profit organization that aims at advancing industrial R&D in the following ways:
data surveys
provision of information services and presentation of business plans for innovative projects
seminars
participation in R&D fairs
initiation of international technological cooperation between Israel and foreign countries, mostly in Europe.
MATIMOP has a project site whose technological feasibility has been proven, and is currently looking for an investor.
Incubators for Technological Entrepreneurship
The incubators for technological entrepreneurship are support frameworks that enable young entrepreneurs who have innovative technological ideas to develop them into industrial products and establish new businesses.
This is a national project that is being run under the auspices of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Services offered by the Technological Incubators:
Location, including required infrastructure
Financial resources
Tools, professional guidance
Administrative assistance
Period of Assistance: two years
The period of activity within the incubator significantly increases the chances of the entrepreneur to raise financial investments, to merge with a strategic partner, and grow from the incubator as an independent business.
Every incubator is an independent company, a non-profit corporation that is set up to support these projects. Each incubator is capable of running 10-15 projects.
Criteria for Acceptance to the Incubator Project:
Initiation of a R&D project that is based on a technological and innovative idea which aims at developing a potentially successful product for export.
Tnufa
Tnufa is a support framework for entrepreneurs and start-up companies that are just getting started.
Its purpose is to assist and guide beginning companies, inventors and entrepreneurs with ideas and proposals for technological projects.
Tnufa provides monetary grants as well as a host of consultation and guidance services at subsidized rates.
Services include:
Monetary grants of up to $200,000 per technological enterprise, which are intended to help defray the costs of patent registration, creation of prototypes and business plans, etc.
Technological and marketing assessment of concepts.
Patent review and search for technological information.
Assistance in locating strategic partners.
Assistance in initial canvassing of funds for beginning ventures.
For more information, contact Tnufa:
29 HaMered Street, POB 50019 Tel Aviv 61500
Tel: 03-5165044 Fax: 03-5165090
E-mail: mail@tnufa.org.il
Web site: www.tnufa.org.il
Bashan
A unique assistance program designed to promote ideas for technological and scientific projects of new immigrant entrepreneurs. The program currently operates within the auspices of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Goal of the Program:
The promotion of inventions, technological ideas and scientific subjects of new immigrants in Israel.
Assistance in establishing contact between immigrant scientists and engineers, and industry in Israel, based on the inventions and needs for technological solutions.
Guidance and counseling for technological and scientific entrepreneurs who are still overseas and who are considering immigrating to Israel in order to realize their invention.
The assistance is provided free of charge to immigrants.
Additional Information:
29 HaMered Street, POB 50019 Tel Aviv 61500
Tel: 03-5165311 Fax: 03-5165090
Written information appears on the Ministry of Science and Technology website
Email: info@invent.org.il